U.S. patent number 5,487,487 [Application Number 08/283,204] was granted by the patent office on 1996-01-30 for crenelated container case.
This patent grant is currently assigned to International Container Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roy Hammett.
United States Patent |
5,487,487 |
Hammett |
January 30, 1996 |
Crenelated container case
Abstract
A bottle carrier case having a crenelated side wall, for
transporting bottles of beverage. The case has locating means on
the bottom of the case for stably stacking the case and has
openings provided in the concavities for easily removing the case
from overlying bottles. The bottle carrier case is able to both
directly stack and cross-stack up to about 50% of its overall
depth.
Inventors: |
Hammett; Roy (Odessa, FL) |
Assignee: |
International Container Systems,
Inc. (Tampa, FL)
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Family
ID: |
22911429 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/283,204 |
Filed: |
July 28, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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241614 |
May 11, 1994 |
5421471 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/509; 206/503;
206/507; 206/509 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
1/243 (20130101); B65D 71/70 (20130101); B65D
2501/24019 (20130101); B65D 2501/2407 (20130101); B65D
2501/24108 (20130101); B65D 2501/24133 (20130101); B65D
2501/24254 (20130101); B65D 2501/24261 (20130101); B65D
2501/2435 (20130101); B65D 2501/24541 (20130101); B65D
2501/24656 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
71/70 (20060101); B65D 71/00 (20060101); B65D
1/24 (20060101); B65D 1/22 (20060101); B65D
001/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/503,507,509
;220/509 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moy; Joseph M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schaffer; Robert D. Rogers and
Wells
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/241,614, filed on May 11, 1994, now U.S.
Pat. No. 5,421,471.
Claims
I claim:
1. A nestable case for carrying a plurality of containers,
comprising:
a) a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said
top surface comprises a plurality of areas corresponding to the
plurality of containers; and
b) a crenelated sidewall connected to said base and extending
around said top surface of said base, said crenelated sidewall
being dimensioned such that when an identical case is nested
thereon, the sidewall of the identical case nests into the
overlying case more than one-quarter the depth of the overlying
case, and when the identical case is cross-stacked thereon, the
identical case nests into the overlying case more that one-third
the depth of the overlying case.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein when an identical case is nested
wherein, the identical case nests into the overlying case about
one-half the depth of the overlying case and when the identical
case is cross-stacked thereon, the identical case nests into the
overlying case about one-half the depth of the overlying case.
3. The case of claim 1, further comprising an indentation on each
side of said sidewall, wherein said indentation is adapted for
accommodating fingers of a hand for carrying the case.
4. The case of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said
crenelated sidewall is inwardly recessed.
5. The case of claim 4, further comprising pillars projecting from
said top surface of said base for supporting containers placed in
said plurality of areas.
6. The case of claim 5, wherein the bottom of at least one of said
pillars is substantially open.
7. The case of claim 5, wherein the top of at least one of said
pillars has a projection thereon so that an overturned case will
not lie flat when placed upon a substantially flat surface.
8. The case of claim 5, wherein said pillars are tapered.
9. The case of claim 5, wherein said pillars further comprise ribs
extending therefrom for supporting containers placed in said
areas.
10. The case of claim 5, further comprising at least four
concavities on said bottom surface of said base for locating
containers from a lower case and for stably stacking the nestable
case thereon, wherein at least four of said concavities have at
least one opening therein for slidably removing the stackable
case.
11. The case of claim 10, wherein said base has an outer periphery
having an angle therein for interposition of a lifting device when
the case is placed directly on a flat surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a reusable,
ergonomically enhanced, plastic bottle case for transporting
bottles of beverage. Specifically, the present invention discloses
a bottle carrier case having clean lines with a serrated, or
crenelated side profile, encompassing several different designs and
dimensions, each of which are adapted for transporting different
bottle sizes. Each bottle carrier design has ergonomic features
which enable the user to more easily and efficiently load, stack,
and unload cases full of bottles than has been heretofore
realized.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has become increasingly common for beverages such as soft drinks
to be sold in bottles made of plastic. Bottles made of plastic
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have become especially popular
with the soft drink industry because of their transparency, light
weight, and low cost. The light weight characteristic of these
bottles has enabled the soft drink manufacturers to have ever
increasing bottle capacities. Such capacities commonly include 16
oz., 20 oz., and 1, 2, and 3 liters, and may include other varying
sizes. These, in turn, result in ever increasing case weight.
Cases of bottles of soft drinks are customarily stacked one on top
of the other for warehouse storage and subsequent shipment. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,530 of de Larosiere discloses a molded
plastic case which may be loaded with PET bottles and stably
stacked. The case has bottle pockets which are shaped to closely
fit the bases of the bottles which are inserted in the pockets. The
pockets are shaped to orient the bottles along the centerlines of
the pockets. Thus, bottles seated in the pockets of the case
disclosed in the '530 patent may be stably stacked. A problem
arises, however, when the stacked cases need to be individually
manually unloaded. It is difficult to easily slide a loaded case
off of the supporting bottles from an underlying case.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,836 of Hammett was designed, among other
purposes, to address this type of unloading problem which arises,
incidentally most often when a delivery person is unloading cases
from a delivery truck to a retail store. Although the case
disclosed in the '836 patent affords stable stacking, it is
difficult to manually remove a loaded case from a stack of cases.
This appears to be a problem in all known bottle carrier cases. The
more stably a fully loaded bottle carrier case can be stacked, the
more difficult it is for someone to remove a loaded case.
A further requirement of bottle carrier cases is to be able to
cross-stack the cases both when they are fully loaded with bottles
and when they are empty. This cross-stacking feature greatly
increases the stability of any stack, whether it be empty of full.
More particularly, it is an additional requirement that when empty
cases are cross stacked or column stacked that they nest as deeply
as possible into the underlying cases. This affords both increased
stability and the ability to transport as many cases as possible in
the same volume.
There is therefore a great need in the art for a case which can be
stably stacked when fully loaded which can be stably stacked when
empty and which can be easily unloaded from that stack when
full.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is now provided with this invention an improved
bottle carrier case for effectively overcoming the aforementioned
difficulties and longstanding problems inherent in removing fully
loaded stacked bottle carrier cases which are stably stacked and
which are able to be cross stacked both empty and fully loaded and
which nest as deeply as possible in the underlying case. These
problems have been solved in a simple, convenient, and highly
effective way by providing the lower portion of the bottle carrier
nesting portions with side openings. More particularly, side
openings are provided at key locations in the nesting portions of
the stably stacked carrier cases. This affords an unloading
operation having unparalleled ease. Additional objects of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description. This particular feature is more fully described in my
copending patent application, Ser. No. 08/241,614, filed on May 11,
1994 and entitled "Ergonomic Container Case".
According to one aspect of the invention, a nestable carrier case
for carrying a plurality of containers is disclosed. The nestable
case comprises a base having a top surface and a bottom surface.
The top surface comprises a plurality of areas corresponding to the
plurality of containers. The case also has a crenelated side wall
connected to the base and extending around the top surface of the
base. When an identical case is nested thereon, the identical case
nests into the crenelations greater than one quarter the depth of
the overlying case. When an identical case is cross-stacked
thereon, the identical case nests into the crenelations greater
than one third the depth of the overlying case. As will be
appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, a major advantage
provided by the present invention is a case that is stable when
stacked either in a column or cross stacked, is still easily
removable from that stack, and which can be stacked when empty a
great percentage of its depth. It is therefore an object of the
invention to provide a carrier case which will be widely used in
the industry due to its safety when stacking, and one which
incorporates ergonomic design principles to afford ease of
unloading a loaded stacked case.
It is another object of the invention to provide a carrier case
which can be columnar nestable with identical cases to a great
percentage of its depth when the cases are unloaded.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a case which
is nestable to a great percentage of its depth when cross-stacked
when the case is unloaded.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a case which has
easy handholds for persons carrying and unloading both full and
empty stacks of cases.
The present invention will be better understood by reference to the
following detailed discussion of specific embodiments and the
attached figures which illustrate and exemplify such
embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the following drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an orthogonal representation of the top of the container
case of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the container case of an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the container case
of the present invention taken along lines A--A of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the container case of the present
invention taken along lines B--B of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the container case of
the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the container carrier
case of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the container carrier
case of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an orthogonal representation of the bottom of an
embodiment of the container carrier case of the present
invention;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following preferred embodiment as exemplified by the drawings
is illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention as encompassed by the claims of this application.
In FIG. 1, a typical container carrier case 1 is shown. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 2 of the carrier case 1 has a top surface 4
and a bottom surface 6. The top surface 4, shown more particularly
in FIG. 2, has a plurality of bottle carrying pockets 8 for
defining areas in which the bottles are securely placed. The
bottle-carrying pockets 8 are designed to closely match the size of
the beverage-containing bottles. Closely matching the size of the
pockets 8 to the bottles assures that the bottles attain a high
degree of stability in the carrier case 1.
Surrounding the outer periphery of the carrier case 1 is an outer
wall 10. The outer wall 10 encloses the pockets 8 on the outer
periphery of the case 1 and holds the bottles therein. The outer
wall 10 may be contoured on the inside to closely match the
contours of the bottles in the pockets on the outer periphery of
the case.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 6 of the case has a
concave area 12 which closely matches the top of an underlying
bottle. This area is directly beneath an overlying pocket 8 in
order to stably stack carrying cases filled with beverage
containing bottles. The concavities 12 on the bottom surface 6 of
the base 2 of the cases are adapted for locating bottles from a
lower case and for stacking another carrying case thereon. It has
been found that when the concavities 12 entirely surround the top
of an underlying bottle, it provides a stable stack of cases, but
is difficult to remove an overlying case. Typically, removal of a
fully loaded case is accomplished by sliding the overlying cases
upon and off of the underlying bottles. However, the very feature
that enables stable stacking of the containers--that is, the
concavities--makes it difficult for the removal of these cases. At
least one opening 14 is therefore provided in at least four of the
concavities 12 of each case to ease the removal of a stackable
case. It has been found that the opening 14 of a concavity should
be at least as wide as the top of the underlying bottle. It is
preferable for manufacturing reasons for the opening to be about as
wide as the diameter of the concavity itself. This is fully
described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 08/241,614 which is
incorporated herein by reference.
It has also been found that it is necessary to have at least four
concavities 12 on the bottom surface 6 of the base of each
container for locating containers from a lower case.
Within the carrier case, pillars 16 may be placed for separating
neighboring bottles. The addition of pillars 16 in the carrier case
increases the degree of stability of the bottles in the carrier
case. Although the pillars 16 are not necessary, they are
preferable when the bottles are 1 liter, 16 oz., or 20 oz. When the
bottles carded in the carrier case are 2 liter bottles, then the
necessity for the pillars 16 in the container increases. Although
the pillars may extend from the base of the container to above the
top of the side wall, or extend from the base of the container to a
height below the top of the side wall, it has been found that for
optimal stability that the pillars should extend to about the same
elevation as the top of the side walls.
The outer wall as disclosed herein and as generally illustrated in
FIG. 1 has a crenelated side profile. The crenelations 18 comprise
an upper elevation 20 and a lower elevation 22. By having such
crenelations, advantages that have been heretofore unrealized can
be achieved.
For example, when identical empty cases are directly stacked in
alignment as in a column, one upon another, the lower case inserts
into the overlying case at least up to one quarter the overall
depth of an entire case. In fact, it has been found in accordance
with this invention that when identical empty cases are directly
stacked upon each other, in alignment, an underlying case may be
inserted into an overlying case up to approximately 50% of its
overall depth. This affords not only a very stable stack of empty
cases, but also more empty cases can be fit into the same volume
than previously achieved. This is especially beneficial when
transporting empty cases.
An additional advantage is achieved by having the crenelated
sidewall herein disclosed. When identical empty cases are directly
cross-stacked one upon another, the lower case can insert into the
overlying case at least up to one-quarter the overall depth of an
entire case. In fact, it has been found in accordance with this
invention, that when identical empty cases are cross stacked upon
each other, an underlying case may be inserted into an overlying
case up to approximately 50% of its overall depth. This affords not
only a very stable stack of empty cases, but also more empty cases
can be fit into the same volume than previously achieved.
In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the
crenelations 18 are recessed inwardly from the outer wall 10.
Customer names, or brand names, or logos are often printed using a
wide variety of technologies, upon the outer surface of the
crenelations. By indenting or recessing the crenelations from the
outer wall, marring or scraping of the printed matter by an
overlying case is minimized.
An additional feature that is included in the present invention is
the central placement of indentations for handholds 24 on each side
of the case. By centrally placing the handholds 24, a loader may
grasp an overlying case with one hand while steadying the stack
with another. In this way, a fully loaded case may be evenly and
safely pulled off of a stack without upsetting the remaining stack
of cases. Preferentially, the handholds 24 are formed by having an
opening formed from the top of the upper elevation, or by having an
opening formed at the lower end of a crenelation, or by having a
hollow formed entirely throughout a crenelation.
As shown in FIG. 1, in an eight pocket case, it is preferential to
have three central pillars; two outside pillars and an inner
pillar. These pillars are, among other reasons, for supporting the
containers in the pockets. It has been found that it is
preferential to have the pillars be conically tapered. As shown
most particularly in FIG. 8, the central-most pillar should be
substantially open on the bottom. This is to allow the empty cases
to both directly stack and cross-stack when empty. Additionally, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, the pillars should have ribs 30 extending
from the pillars toward the center of the pockets. The ribs 30 are
for supporting the sides of the container and for aiding to
centrally locate the container in the pockets 8. Further, as
illustrated in FIG. 8, the two outer pillars should have an inner
tapered element 26. This feature allows for more stable stacking.
When the inner tapered element is employed, at least one hole 28
should be made therein to prevent trapping of water and debris
therein.
It has been further found that it is preferential to have a
relatively small projection 32 on the top of one of the pillars. As
shown in FIG. 1, the projection 32 is placed on top of the most
central pillar. Of course, it could also be placed on top of any of
the pillars. The extension 32 is for frustrating inappropriate use
of the case. Oftentimes, workers will invert a container case and
inappropriately use the case as a step-stool. By providing the
projection 32 on a pillar, when a container case is overturned, the
container case will not lie flat and this will inhibit workers from
using the container cases in this inappropriate manner.
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate various views showing the
concavities on the base 2 of the carrier case. As shown, the
concavities provide a locating means for bottles from a lower case.
The bottles from a lower case are thus located in the concavities
of the upper case for stably stacking the case on the bottles.
FIG. 3 is a side view taken showing a concavity with an opening to
the outer wall 10. As illustrated, this concavity has the feature
of both locating a bottle from a lower case and for providing an
easy path of removal of a loaded case off the supporting bottle.
Also shown in FIG. 6 is an angle 34 provided on the outer periphery
of the base 2. The angle should be in the range of from about
30.degree. to about 60.degree., but it has been found to be
preferably about 45.degree.. Having an angle 20 around the entire
periphery of the base 2 allows nestability on an underlying case
when it is stacked without any beverage containing bottles. The
angle 20 also provides for the interposition of a hand cart or any
other lifting means when the case is placed directly upon a flat
surface.
* * * * *